‘Art is the first line of defence against extremism’

Literature, art and culture are the first line of defence against any kind of extremism. This was stated by Mohammad Ahmed Shah, president of the Arts Council, Karachi, at a presser held on Thursday to share details of the 10th International Urdu Conference, scheduled to run from December 21 till December 25.

“This year’s conference will be much greater and more diversified in comparison to the ones held previously,” Shah added. Besides discussions on various issues concerning the Urdu language, the conference would also explore the dynamics of the language’s interaction with Pakistan’s regional languages.

Around a hundred prominent personalities, from at least 12 countries including Japan, Egypt and Turkey, are expected to grace the event, stated the Arts Council president. He added that the literary stalwarts would present their respective research works and theses on different genres of Urdu literature.

Further highlighting the importance of the conference, he said that this year's theme for the conference will revolve around 70 years of Urdu literature in Pakistan with respect to the challenges and opportunities it braced.

Shah further explained that apart from literature, different aspects of culture and performing arts will also be discussed and brought to light through performances. The programme includes performances by renowned classical dancer Sheema Kermani, and classical musicians Ustad Hamid Ali Khan, Ustad Bashir Khan and Ustad Nafees Khan; Qawwals Farid Ayaz and Abu Mohammad will also be performing at the event.

The inaugural day also includes readings of literary giant Muhtaq Ahmed Yousufi’s stories, by none other than the veteran orator, Zia Mohyeddin. A documentary on the decade-long journey of the international conference would also be run on the first day of the event.

Falling on Quaid-e-Azam’s birthday, the fifth day of the conference (December 25) has been dedicated to the Founder of the Nation Mohammad Ali Jinnah. The session dedicated to Jinnah will have Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani, Javed Jabbar, Ghazi Salahuddin, Haris Khaliq and Mir Hasil Bizenjo as discussants. The evening will conclude with acclaimed satirist Anwar Maqsood reciting his work.

Shah said ten years ago when the first Urdu conference was held for the first time, it seemed an impossible task, but with the dedication and devotion it later became the most significant conference followed by other organisations.